Creative Genius & Travel Links
June 12, 2007
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ZETA the sixth letter
of the Greek alphabet (Z, ¶), but of course, the last letter in our
alphabet. Also, Zeta is the very last wine in a
string of new exciting discovery wines, to finally arrive after our trip to
Argentina last January. So, we saved the BEST for LAST!
We had heard the buzz about the 03 Familia Zuccardi Zeta, soon after we arrived
in Mendoza. Just the second vintage released of this new wine, everybody
who thinks of themselves as a "wine expert" was telling us to try it!!
From our "meet and greet" guide at the airport, and then again a few
hours later from our waiter at Bistro M in the Park Hyatt.
Trouble was, there was no 03 Zeta to be
found. Our appointments were
already scheduled in advance, and we never found time to traverse east
across Mendoza to the Maipu growing region where the modern Zuccardi winery is located. Luckily, it was our
final dinner in the city of Mendoza, when we had the opportunity
to indulge. Long story short, the dinner was the worst of our entire
trip, and that includes some pretty awful food in southern Chile's
remote Tierra del Fuego National Park. Difficult to imagine how
someone in Argentina can profess to be a "chef", when he finds it
impossible to grill a beef steak to anyone's liking. As we
enjoyed the decanted Zeta's
splendor unfurling over the course of two plus hours, we observed
overcooked steaks being run back to the kitchen from almost every table in
the restaurant. By the time it was our turn, we had nursed
the wine to the "dregs" and had to order another......and wait for another
attempt at the steaks. Why did we endure? We were loving the Zeta! OK, about the wine!
First, let me say, we only received ten six packs
of this wine, but we have a special order request being processed for
more. So do not despair if you receive a "waiting list
status" response from me. The 03 Zuccardi
Zeta measured up with the very best wines we tried on our trip;
that would include the Achaval-Ferrer Malbecs and Quimera blend (all WS mid
90s), the Catena Alta Malbecs, Vina Alicia Malbec, Luigi Bosca's
GALA 2, Colome, Familia Cassone, Clos Apalta, and Montes Alpha
M.
The Zuccardi family has
a long, proud history of grape growing in Mendoza. Zeta will not only become
Zuccardi's signature-iconic wine, but also one for Argentina. Only
the very finest grapes are hand sorted and selected for this unusual red
blend of 60% Malbec and 40%
Tempranillo. I have long stated the Napa
Valley-Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon palate will find a true friend in
Argentina Malbec. I have also begged many of you to try the Tempranillo
based wines from Spain's Ribera del Duero and Rioja regions, as I know
this grape varietal can provide the full bodied structure missing from
many of our immediate gratification wines of today. Honestly, Zeta is creative genius; trusting the best
from tradition, and enhancing with modern technology.
The Malbec is aged for a total of 14 months in new
French oak barrique, while the Tempranillo is aged for the same time but in new
American oak barrels. Each is racked from its medium toasted barrels every
four months. The finished wine is never filtered. Together, these grapes provide the perfect marriage of big,
intensely flavored red and black berries, with an underlying
current of minerality and tannin. Chocolate and vanillin interplay
with a roasted quality that adds intrigue. Zeta
is never heavy, ponderous, or hot, but perfectly balanced and
harmonious with only 14% alcohol for such a modern wine. A true joy
to drink now. A real promise of things to
come!
As promised, finally, here is a listing of
highly recommended links if you intend to travel to Argentina or Chile
for adventures in gastronomy.
Our next trip is scheduled
for July 1st. as we head off to Spain to explore the Priorat region,
and the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southwestern
France.
The Wine Consultant
will reopen July 19th.
Argentina
-
Buenos Aires
Hotels -
Best
Value!
Best Dning -
Best
Dinner!
Katrine's - Avenue Alicia Moreau de Justo 138, at
Thompson on Dike 4, Puerto Madero - Reservations 11/4315-6222
Mendoza
Hotels -
Best Hotel
Service!
Best Luxury
Hotel!
Best Dining -
Cavas Wine Lodge
Bistro M (Park Hyatt)
Best Wine
List!
Wine Bar > The Vines of Mendoza Tasting
Room -
Espejo 567 (between Chile and 25 de Mayo right around the corner from the Park
Hyatt).
MUST SEE
WINERIES -
Wineries -
General Tourism in
Mendoza
Chile
-
Santiago
-
Hotels -
Dining -
Colchagua Valley
Hotels -
Best
Hacienda!
Dining -
Each of the hotels listed have acceptable
to excellent dining rooms.
MUST SEE
WINERIES
Most Impressive Modern
Winery!
General Tourism and
Wineries
Maipo Valley
MUST SEE WINERIES
Most Impressive
Architecture!
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